NCJ Number
193148
Date Published
November 2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This testimony discussed the current terrorist threats and the long-term consequences of the trends emerging from these current or near-term threats.
Abstract
The American people have been operating under high-level anxiety since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It has been difficult for people to fully comprehend the seriousness of what occurred, as well as their ability to understand the longer-term consequences of the trends emerging from this attack. The purpose of this testimony was to discuss the current and near-term threats and the long-term consequences of the trends emerging from September 11th, so as to warn against a return to complacency. Over the past decade, Americans have suffered a sporadic number of terrorist attacks. The September 11th attacks were not intended as a last act by the terrorist network. Future planned attacks are seen as probable but what form they would take is impossible to determine. Potential targets could be commercial aviation, public surface transportation, the Nation’s critical infrastructure, diplomatic facilities, and corporate symbols of America abroad. In addition, we cannot devote all our efforts to bin Laden and the Al Qaeda network. Threats abroad and in America can come from Columbia, South America, anti-globalization protests, anti-semitic, white supremacists, and from assaults in cyberspace. It was unlikely that the September 11th attacks were an anomaly, and there were aspects of the attacks that confirmed broader trends. The warnings of large-scale terrorism with the use of chemical and biological weapons are now realities. Large-scale terrorist attacks must now be anticipated. With this vision of the future, our biggest enemy might be our own complacency.